Member Article

International recognition for chemical company

Airedale Chemical, a manufacturer and distributer of chemicals based in Cross Hills, West Yorkshire, has achieved international recognition for its environmental work by The Green Organisation.

Competing against 500 nominations Airedale Chemical has won an award in the Environmental Best Practice category of The Green Apple Awards, to be presented in a ceremony on 16 November at the House of Commons, for its commitment to sending zero waste to landfill.

As a result of this Green Apple Award success, they have been invited to have their winning paper published in The Green Book, the leading international work of reference on environmental best practice, so that others around the world can follow their example and learn from their achievement.

They could also progress to represent their country in the Green World Awards, and the European Business Awards for the Environment.

The Green Organisation is an international independent environment group which aims to recognise environmental best practice around the world. Its work includes the Green Apple Awards which encourage efficient use of resources and support sustainable development, by rewarding businesses that make a positive impact on the environment.

The ‘Zero to Landfill’ scheme was set up by Airedale Chemical’s health and safety advisor, Karen Waddington, who comments: “It is so rewarding to be recognised for the efforts we made to positively affect our impact on the environment. It all started during a routine health and safety analysis of the site where we identified areas within our recycling procedures which could be improved. Since then it has snowballed into a company-wide initiative, a brand new waste management policy and now this amazing accolade.”

Almost £4,000 has been invested into a new machine enabling waste to be crushed into bales that are easily collectable and transported by its Bradford-based recycling partner, BW Recycling Ltd. A recycling station has also been set up on the premises.

Around two tonnes of waste are now recycled each month and the company receives a 40 per cent increase in rebate for each tonne of recycled waste.

Karen added: “This initiative has not only involved new waste management practices but we have also changed the way we think about our waste as an organisation. Every member of staff has bought into this scheme which is one of the main reasons it has been so successful.”

Chris Chadwick, sales director of Airedale Chemical, explains: “As a chemical manufacturer we strive to develop our waste reduction processes and minimise our carbon footprint.

“Other ‘think green’ initiatives implemented in the last year include recycling all our on-site waste water for use in chemical production, and fleet vehicles which convert nitrogen dioxide into nitrogen and steam to reduce pollution.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Approach PR .